In a significant development, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was granted bail on Thursday in the high-profile liquor policy case. The court’s decision marks a notable setback for the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is investigating the alleged money laundering connected to irregularities in Delhi’s now-scrapped excise policy.
Earlier in the day, the court had reserved its order on Kejriwal’s bail plea. The ED, anticipating the possibility of bail being granted, requested 48 hours to prepare an appeal to a higher court. However, the judge declined to delay the order, clearing the way for Kejriwal to be released on bail.
As per the court’s instructions, Kejriwal can walk out of Tihar Jail on Friday after furnishing a bail bond of Rs 1 lakh. The bail bond will be produced before the Duty Judge on Friday, allowing for his release.
The Rouse Avenue Court had also reserved its decision on a separate plea from Kejriwal seeking permission for his wife, Sunita Kejriwal, to participate via video conference in his examination by the medical board. Judge Niyay Bindu, who presided over the case, heard arguments for two days before issuing her decision on Thursday. She had previously emphasized the need for brevity from the attorneys to avoid prolonged delays.
Kejriwal’s bail plea was initially denied on June 7 following the ED’s response. On Wednesday, the Rouse Avenue Court extended Kejriwal’s judicial custody until July 3 in connection with the excise policy case. Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 for alleged irregularities in the excise policy. He had received interim bail on May 10 to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections until June 2, after which he surrendered.
With this ruling, Kejriwal becomes the second Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader to be granted bail in the case, following Sanjay Singh. Meanwhile, Manish Sisodia, another key figure in the case, remains in Tihar Jail.
The court’s decision to grant bail to Kejriwal is expected to have significant implications for the ongoing investigation and the political landscape in Delhi. As the ED prepares to appeal the verdict, all eyes will be on the higher court’s response in the coming days.
